VIRTIGATION

VIRTIGATION network

What is the VIRTIGATION network?

VIRTIGATION engages in a bottom-up, multi-actor approach to tailor its innovative solutions to the needs of the agriculture and horticulture sectors. Since the project’s aim is to have a durable impact on the entire tomato and cucurbit value chain, close collaborations with key actors and stakeholders such as farmers, growers, public research centers and seed and plant protection industries are essential. By linking producers directly with consumers, VIRTIGATION will create a multi-stakeholder network on emerging plant virus detection and knowledge exchange.

Co-creation and co-design is at the heart of VIRTIGATION’s research activities, where it will not only directly use the inputs provided by the stakeholders of the VIRTIGATION network, but also train them in applying innovative bio-based remedies through common tools and guidelines. The ambition of the VIRTIGATION network is on the one hand to collate national know-how through the coordination efforts of National Knowledge Brokers, and on the other to ensure global exchange between actors in Europe, Israel, Morocco and India, in order to jointly combat the emerging viral diseases affecting tomatoes and cucurbits.  

Find out more about what is happening in the VIRTIGATION network by checking out our multilingual information section below!

Our main contacts for our multi-actor approach in Luxembourg (LIST), the UK (NRI-UoG), Morocco (STE Maraissa SA) and Israel (VC) are here:

Luxembourg: Michael Eickermann – Email
The UK: Maruthi M. N. Gowda – Email
Morocco: Amandine Rampon – Email
Israel: Aviv Dombrovsky – Email

Join the VIRTIGATION network

Documentos del proyecto

Descripción

Las enfermedades víricas pueden causar importantes pérdidas en la producción de hortalizas, alcanzando un valor anual estimado de 34.500 millones de euros en Europa. Esto supone unas pérdidas de  varios miles de millones de euros al año debido a la proliferación de enfermedades víricas y a la aparición de nuevos virus en los cultivos de hortalizas europeos, tanto en invernadero como al aire libre. Es importante destacar que las enfermedades causadas por virus también conducen a un uso extensivo de plaguicidas, lo que implica una mayor exposición a los residuos de este tipo de productos, tanto a los productores como a los consumidores europeos.

El proyecto VIRTIGATION tiene como objetivo desarrollar soluciones rápidas y duraderas para enfermedades víricas emergentes causadas por begomovirus (transmitidos por mosca blanca) y tobamovirus (transmitidos mecánicamente) en cucurbitáceas y tomates en el norte de Europa y la cuenca mediterránea, así como aumentar el conocimiento para controlar y gestionar mejor este tipo de enfermedades, contando con la cooperación de un socio internacional de India.

El proyecto, cuya duración se extiende  desde junio de 2021 hasta mayo de 2025, se estructura en 6 objetivos:

  1. Intercambio de conocimientos y participación de agentes de interés en las actividades de investigación (impacto a corto plazo)
  2. Desarrollo de pruebas de diagnóstico  y medidas de cuarentena e identificación de los factores ecológicos que impulsan los brotes de las enfermedades (impacto a corto plazo)
  3. Comprensión de las interacciones planta-virus -vector (impacto a medio plazo)
  4. Desarrollo de soluciones de gestión integrada de plagas (GIP) (impacto a mediano plazo)
  5. Jerarquización de la resistencia natural (impacto a largo plazo)
  6. Capacitación de la cadena de valor (impacto a mediano plazo)

Los objetivos se basarán en:

  • estudio detallado de la biología y transmisión de virus bajo las condiciones del cambio climático;
  • desarrollo de soluciones clásicas (GIP y resistencia natural) para el control de enfermedades víricas a través de dos vías de transmisión distintas;
  • desarrollo de enfoques novedosos (bioplaguicidas, control biológico, protección cruzada) para mitigar las enfermedades causadas por virus y reducir el uso de plaguicidas. Para tener en cuenta la diversidad de los sistemas de cultivo de hortalizas y las enfermedades víricas, VIRTIGATION implementará un enfoque de „abajo hacia arriba“ teniendo en cuenta a múltiples actores que involucrará a servicios de extensión, empresas comerciales y productores, con el fin de codiseñar las actividades de investigación y las estrategias de mitigación y adaptarlas a las necesidades de toda la cadena de valor del tomate y las cucurbitáceas.

Contacto: 
Mariana Lorbach y Rosana García
Agentes de conocimiento nacional
Agencia de Gestión Agraria y Pesquera de Andalucia
Email

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    International Partner UASB

    The University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore (UASB) is located in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. The UASB was established in 1964 by a Legislative Act of the Government of Karnataka state. In less than half a century, UASB has released over 200 varieties in diverse crops for the benefit of farmers. Production technologies developed for dryland agriculture have helped to stabilize farm productivity even in rain sparse years. Over the years, UASB has grown into an institution of national and international prestige. The University successfully has carried out its mission in agriculture education, research and extension to transform agriculture in the state of Karnataka.  In recognition of its excellence in teaching, research and extension, UASB was conferred the best State Agricultural University (SAU) in India twice during 2001 and 2012 by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), India.

    Website: www.uasbangalore.edu.in

    UASB team contributing to VIRTIGATION

    • N. Nagaraju
      Professor of Plant Pathology
    • Nataraj N Karaba
      Professor of Crop Physiology
    • S. Ramesh
      Professor of Genetics and Plant Breeding

    Corteva

    Corteva Agriscience™ is the only major agriscience company completely dedicated to agriculture. It has gained expertise over two centuries of scientific achievement. Its goal is to enrich the lives of those who produce and those who consume, ensuring progress for generations to come. Corteva is continuously acquiring valuable knowledge in crop protection products including bio-pesticides, biocontrol agents and bio-stimulants; related to practical field limitations and spraying systems to provide farmers the best tools to manage their crops in a sustainable manner that respects the environment.

    Website: www.corteva.it

    Corteva team in VIRTIGATION

    • Antonino Fenio
      FS CP Principal Biologist Insecticides

    RTDS

    RTDS Association is the Austrian non-profit arm of the RTDS Group supporting implementation and management of European research and innovation projects to optimize the use of results for maximum impact. RTDS has a proven track record in enabling the innovators to move research and technology from the lab to the market. RTDS addresses heterogenous networks of stakeholders to manage, communicate and exploit the individual and jointly developed know-how, while analyzing broader socio-economic aspects required for uptake of the project results. RTDS works closely with academia, SMEs, European associations and interest groups, corporate entities, and independent research institutions interested in a sustainable transition. Not pursuing ownership of research results, RTDS objectively manages all dissemination, exploitation, communication and innovation processes in collaborative projects to develop business models and exploitation plans in the interest of all involved partners.

    Website: https://www.rtds-group.com/

    RTDS team in VIRTIGATION

    • David Donnerer
      EU Project & Communication Manager
    • Luis Rodrigues
      Legal expert on IP, Data Management & Innovation Management
    • Stephen Webb
      CEO & Founder

    Maraissa

    More information coming soon

    LNW

    LNW - plant protection service - belongs to the Chamber of Agriculture North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. This Chamber is on the one hand an agricultural self-government representing about 34.000 agricultural, horticultural, and forestry farms and their employees in North Rhine-Westphalia. On the other hand, part of it is a state representative and state authority of the Ministry for Environment, Agriculture, Conservation and Consumer Protection of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia. Tasks of the LNW are for example diagnosis of pest and diseases, research and testing of plant protection products, integrated and alternative pest management methods (IPM) and application equipment in the field and in the greenhouse. LNW also provides support to the extension service of the Chamber’s self-government part. Another task of LNW is education and training, including expert knowledge for people using plant protection products. It supports farmers with information tools such as warnings, publications, and digital prognosis systems.

    Website: www.landwirtschaftskammer.de

    LNW team in VIRTIGATION

    Ellen Richter
    Horticultural Engineer
    Bianca Boehnke
    Agricultural Engineer

    Marlene Leucker
    Biologist

    Matthias Schlüpen
    Horticultural engineer

    AGAPA

    Agencia de Gestión Agraria y Pesquera de Andalucía, (Agency for the management of agriculture and fisheries of Andalusia) is a public agency that falls under the regional Government of Andalusia, Spain. It bases its activity on the development of policies and the technical support related to the agricultural, livestock, fishing and rural development sectors which are of enormous importance both in EU policies and with regards to cooperation with third parties. The most important lines of activity developed by the Agency are: technical support to the management and control of agricultural public aids; agricultural, livestock and fisheries inspection, surveillance and control; agrifood laboratories; farms management; services to the fisheries and aquaculture sectors; irrigation systems and rural and fishing infrastructures; training on the agricultural and fishing fields; analysis, prospective studies and technology transfer; information systems and technologies; management support; agrifood quality and promotion; territorial development, international projects and cooperation.

    The Agency has a wide presence in the Andalusian territory, with 92 offices distributed throughout the region and about 3,000 specialized workers. In addition to the different headquarters located in each one of the 8 provinces of Andalusia, AGAPA manages the European Institute of Mediterranean food, the agri-food complex Hacienda de Quinto, and more than 5,000 ha. dedicated to farming in public estates. It also has 60 District Agricultural Offices, that provide first-hand and extensive knowledge of the territories. They also play an important role in the promotion of innovation, advisory and transfer to the different subsectors. The Agency further has 20 livestock and agricultural laboratories and one oenological station, and premises for quality control of fishery resources.

    Website: https://www.juntadeandalucia.es/agenciaagrariaypesquera/portal/

    AGAPA team in VIRTIGATION

    Mariana Lorbach
    Agricultural engineer & National Knowledge Broker for Spain
    Marisa Ruiz García Agricultural engineer & EU Project Manager
    Trinidad Manrique Agricultural engineer
    Rosana García
    National Knowledge Broker for Spain
    Antonia Cobacho
    Agricultural engineer

    HVH2

    Huerta Valle Hibri2 is an independent seed production company based in Spain with more than 40 years expertise in horticultural seed production and vegetable growing. Its main focus is on solanaceous and cucurbit crops, being key factors of the supply change for R&D breeding programs, stock seeds and commercial hybrids for national and international seed companies.

    Website: www.huerta-valle-hibri2.com

    HVH2 team in VIRTIGATION

    • Francisco Villanueva
      Lab Manager
    • Yolanda García
      Crop Manager

    SYN

    Syngenta Crop Protection and Syngenta Seeds are part of Syngenta Group, one of the world’s leading agriculture companies. Syngenta’s ambition is to help safely feed the world while taking care of the planet. It aims to improve the sustainability, quality and safety of agriculture with world class science and innovative crop solutions. Syngenta’s technologies enable millions of farmers around the world to make better use of limited agricultural resources. Syngenta is involved through Syngenta France SAS in VIRTIGATION.

    Website: https://www.syngenta.com/en


    Syngenta France SAS team in VIRTIGATION

    Gregori Bonnet
    Principal Scientist

    Celine Labourey
    Trait Development Lead Solanaceae

    Elena Garcia
    Trait Development Lead Cucurbitaceae

    JKI

    The Julius Kühn Institute (JKI) is the Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants in Germany and an autonomous superior federal authority directly subordinated to the German Ministry of Food and Agriculture. Its work revolves around plant genetics and breeding research, the cultivation, nutrition, protection and health of cultivated plants. Its research in these areas conducted in 17 specialized sub institutes enables it to provide comprehensive scientific advice to the Federal Government. The effects of climate change, globalisation and urbanisation of society, as well as declining natural resources and biological diversity pose major challenges to mankind and agriculture. JKI’s aim is to ensure the production of healthy and highly productive robust cultivated plants whether they are grown in fields, orchards, vineyards, forests or urban environments. It also promotes the sustainable production and use of our crops as basic nutrients, renewable resources and essential elements in cultural landscapes while aiming to maintain plant diversity.

    Brunswick is one of JKI’s 10 locations in Germany. Here, at the Institute for Epidemiology and Pathogen Diagnostics, JKI’s plant virologists conduct applied research in vegetable crops in fields and greenhouses. JKI’s experts are searching for new virus species and elaborate virus-vector-hostplant interactions. Because environmental conditions can impact both vector and virus dissemination, the researchers aim to develop preventive measures against emerging whitefly-transmitted geminivirus and mechanistically transmitted tobamovirus diseases in countries at risk for plant virus-pandemics.


    Website: https://www.julius-kuehn.de/en/ep/


    JKI team in VIRTIGATION

    Institute for Epidemiology and Pathogen Diagnostics

    • Heiko Ziebell
      Team Leader Virology, Senior Scientist, National Knowledge Broker for Germany
    • Mareike Rohde
      PhD student

    APREL

    APREL is an association created in 1984 by professional growers settled in Provence-Alpes Côte-d’Azur region (South-East France), which aims to improve technical and economical performances of the vegetable production in Provence. In the APREL’s experimental program, all major crops of the region are studied in different growing practices, greenhouse/open-field, soil/soil-less, conventional/organic: tomato, melon, eggplant, pepper, cucumber, zucchini, strawberries, lettuce, etc. The experiment program is discussed each year between engineers, technical consultants and growers. The main topics are : studies of varieties, post-harvest quality, integrated pest management, biological control, fertilization and water management, cultural techniques, new technologies.

    The association has further established relations between research and growing activities, and APREL is often asked to be a partner in research projects with INRAE and other stations. One of the main purposes of APREL is to provide information and trial results to growers in order to support their technical progress. Every trial is carried out on farm, which allows getting results directly from real growing conditions and facilitates information transfer to growers. Visits of trials are organized on site to expose results to different professional partners.

    Website: www.aprel.fr


    APREL team in VIRTIGATION

    • Claire Goillon
      Administrative and technical manager, Engineer in charge of tomato experimentation program
    • Anthony Ginez
      Financial and administrative manager, Engineer in charge of IPM studies
    • Aurélie Rousselin
      Engineer in charge of IPM studies
    • Pauline Duval
      Engineer in charge of IPM studies and tomato experimentation program

    PCH

    Proefcentrum Hoogstraten is a research centre located in the north of the province of Antwerp, Belgium, in the middle of an important horticultural area. PCH is specialized in horticultural applied scientific and demonstrative research in the cultivation of the glasshouse crops tomato, bell pepper and strawberry, and strawberry in all other cultivation systems (open field, table tops,…). Practical and demonstrative research in these crops makes the translation of fundamental research into horticultural practice, and thus provides information and answers to questions risen from professional growers and other companies in the horticultural sector. The close contact with the growers, who are also abundantly represented in all governing bodies of the Research Centre, is one of the strengths for its practical research.

    The main research topics are variety trials, growing techniques, new cultivation systems and technologies, disease and pest management, IPM strategies, fertilization, sustainable water (re)use, energy, fruit quality, plant quality,…  In collaboration with other national and international research institutions, research projects are initiated to solve more fundamental problems in the above crops. The transfer of research results to farmers and knowledge exchange with other scientists is an important role of the Research Centre. Based on the obtained results, advices are shared directly with growers and other stakeholders.

    Website: www.proefcentrum.be


    PCH team in VIRTIGATION

    • Lien Bosmans
      Coordinator glasshouse vegetables
    • Marlies Huysmans
      Researcher glasshouse vegetables &National Knowledge Broker for Belgium

    VC

    The Volcani Center is a governmental organization and an arm of The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Its groundbreaking research is a leading force in agriculture in Israel and abroad. This will enable it to provide crucial aid for numerous countries to sustain their food stability and supply food for a growing population worldwide. The Volcani Center includes six institutes & two research centers, which cover all research disciplines in agriculture. Its institutes: Plant Sciences; Animal Sciences; Plant Protection; Soil, Water and Environmental Sciences; Postharvest and Food sciences; and Agriculture Engineering. Gilat Research Center located in the south of Israel is addressing issues related to dessert agriculture, and Newe Ya'ar Research Center located in the north of Israel is addressing issues related to sustainable agriculture. The Volcani Center also hosts Israel's Plant Gene Bank. Its mandate is to collect, preserve and evaluate plant species indigenous to Israel, including landraces and primitive cultivars.

    Website:

    https://www.agri.gov.il/en/home/default.aspx

    VC team in VIRTIGATION

    • Aviv Dombrovsky
      Principal Investigator, Plant virology & epidemiology
    • Moshe Lapidot
      Principal Investigator, Plant virology & genetics
    • Neta Luria
      Molecular biologist
    • Elisheva Smith
      Biochemist
    • Diana Leibman
      Molecular biologist
    • Dana Gelbart
      Molecular biologist
    • Tali Sufrin-Ringwald
      Molecular biologist

    EMWEB

    Emweb is a bioinformatics company offering Genome Detective, a web-based platform for analysis, storage and collaboration for microbial next generation sequencing data. The analysis includes high quality meta-genomic de novo reassembly, species identification, and subtyping. A wide range of sequencing technologies and lab protocols are supported. Sequencing data and analysis results are safely stored in a database with epidemiological annotations for future analysis and sharing with project partners.

    Website: https://www.emweb.be/ , https://www.genomedetective.com/

    EMWEB team in VIRTIGATION

    • Wim Dumon
      CEO
    • Koen Deforche
      Principal Investigator, CTO
    • Sam Dierickx
      Researcher
    • Sara Cleemput
      Researcher

    INRAE

    INRAE was created on January 1, 2020 by the merger of INRA, the French National Institute for Agricultural Research, and IRSTEA, the French National Research Institute of Science and Technology for the Environment and Agriculture. It involves 11,500 staff members including 2,000 researchers, 3,100 engineers and assistant engineers, and 3,300 technicians. Its missions are to carry out, organise, and coordinate, on its own initiative or in response to a governmental request, all types of scientific and technological research in the domains of agriculture, food, forestry, the environment, water resources, biodiversity, the bioeconomy, the circular economy, the sustainable management of regions, and risk management in the specialised fields of research mentioned above.

    The INRAE Plant Pathology Unit in Avignon, France aims to contribute to the development of rational and efficient disease control methods compatible with a sustainable and high quality production. The Virology Team conducts activities concerning mostly viral diseases of vegetable (cucurbits, pepper and tomato) and ornamental crops. Its research program is centred on virus emergence at different scales from plant to landscape, and focuses on three main axes: aetiology and diagnosis, from biological indexing to next-generation sequencing; dynamics and evolution of virus populations, in relation to vector incidence and landscape properties; and resistance durability, including quantitative resistances and tolerance. It strives to be as generic as possible in the design of new concepts, methodologies and tools.

    Website: https://www6.paca.inrae.fr/pathologie_vegetale_eng/Our-research/VIROLOGY

    INRAE team in VIRTIGATION

    • Eric Verdin
      Virology team leader
    • Cecile Desbiez
      Research Scientist – Engineer, National Knowledge Broker for France

    WR

    Stichting Wageningen Research is part of Wageningen University & Research, in which it collaborates with Wageningen University. Stichting Wageningen Research is a private not for profit research institute. Wageningen University & Research combines the knowledge and experience of about 6,500 staff and 12,000 students from over 100 countries and contributes actively to solving scientific, societal and commercial problems in the field of life sciences and natural resources. These domains are studied from various disciplines and with an integrated approach to strike a balance between economics, culture and nature, using an integrated approach. The research institutes of Wageningen University & Research cover basic, strategic, application driven and applied research in close collaboration with governments, companies, stakeholder organizations, citizens, and other knowledge institutions. 

    Websites:

    https://www.wur.nl/en/Research-Results/Research-Institutes/plant-research/Plant-Breeding.htm

    https://www.wur.nl/en/Research-Results/Research-Institutes/plant-research/Biointeractions-Plant-Health.htm


    WR team in VIRTIGATION

    Department of Plant Breeding

    • Lotte Caarls
      Researcher Insect Resistance

    Micha Devi
    Postdoctoral Researcher

    Department of Biointeractions & Plant Health

    • René van der Vlugt
      Professor Ecological Plant Virology, National Knowledge Broker for the Netherlands
    • Martin Verbeek
      Plant Virologist

    WU

    Wageningen University & Research is a collaboration between Wageningen University (WU) and the specialized research institutes of Wageningen Research (WR). This combination of knowledge and experience enables WUR with its 6,500 staff and more than 12,000 students to contribute actively to solving scientific, social and commercial problems in the field of life sciences and natural resources. WUR uses an integrated approach in close collaboration with governments, companies, stakeholder organizations, citizens, and other knowledge institutions. WU is the only university in the Netherlands to focus specifically on the theme ‘healthy food and living environment’. For the 16th consecutive year, WU is the best university for full-time education in the Netherlands. Internationally, WU is ranked the number 1 university for agriculture and forestry worldwide.

    Website:

    https://www.wur.nl/en/Research-Results/Research-Institutes/plant-research/Plant-Breeding.htm

    WU team in VIRTIGATION

    Department of Plant Breeding

    • Yuling Bai
      Professor
    • Anne-Marie Wolters
      Senior Scientist
    • Romanos Zois
      PhD Plant Breeding

    Laboratory of Virology

    • Richard Kormelink
      Associated Professor

    UNICT

    The University of Catania has been founded in 1434, being one of the oldest universities in Italy. Its didactic and research activities are presently run by 18 departments, the School of Medicine and by two Special Education Structures set up in decentralized sites: Ragusa (Foreign Language and Literature) and Syracuse (Architecture). A “University School of Excellence”, that each year selects talented young Italians and foreign students, provides special educational facilities.

    Among the 18 scientific departments being part of the University of Catania, the Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment (Di3A) houses over 100 university teachers (professors, associate professors and assistant professors), various thematic research and teaching laboratories, and a huge library providing access to thousands of specialized books, periodicals, and on-line scientific journals. Research carried out at Di3A mainly deals with aspects of sustainability in Mediterranean crops, food production and natural resources management, allowing to develop strategic international co-operation with neighbouring countries, especially in North-Africa and Middle-East. The Applied Entomology Section plays an internationally recognized role in research focused on integrated crop protection, with special reference to sap sucking insects in Mediterranean agro-ecosystems (especially Hemiptera Sternorrhyncha, including the superfamily Aleyrodoidea), their biology and role as vectors of plant pathogens, application strategies of natural enemies for integrated pest management (IPM), pesticide selectivity and side effects, semiochemicals and microbial compounds for pest control. All mentioned activities are performed within research projects funded by private companies, Italian Ministries and the EU. The achieved expertise is used by UNICT-Di3A also to offer consulting services and scientific support to farmers, food industries and public bodies operating in the area.

    Website: https://www.di3a.unict.it/en

    UNICT team in VIRTIGATION

    The Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment

    • Carmelo Rapisarda
      Professor of general and applied entomology
    • Pompeo Suma
      Assistant Professor of general and applied entomology
    • Giuseppe E. Massimino Cocuzza
      Assistant Professor of general and applied entomology
    • Alessia Farina
      PhD Student

    CRAG

    The Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG) is an independent research institution located in the area of Barcelona (Spain) and devoted to leading-edge research in plant and farm animal biology, genetics and genomics, with an emphasis in the molecular basis of genetic characters of interest in plants and farm animals and in the applications of molecular approaches for breeding of species important for agriculture and food production. It currently hosts more than 200 members from across the world in its modern facilities inaugurated in 2011.  CRAG holds the “Human Resources Excellence in Research'' accreditation by the European Commission, and the “Centre of Excellence Severo Ochoa” award by the Spanish Government.

    Website: www.cragenomica.es

    CRAG team in VIRTIGATION


    • Juan-José Lopez-Moya
      Associate Professor

    DCM CORP

    DCM is a family-owned company that has over 45 years of experience in developing, producing and marketing soil fertility and plant health products (organic & organo-mineral fertilisers, organic substrates & potting soils, seeds, cover materials, biostimulants and biorational plant protection products) for both hobbyist and professional use. Consequently, DCM offers 300 product formulations, mainly manufactured in their own production facilities. DCM has a large research division with in-depth knowledge of plant virology, and has developed the first EU-wide registered plant virus vaccine, PMV®-01, against Pepino mosaic virus in tomato.

    Website: https://dcm-info.com/

    DCM CORP team in VIRTIGATION

    • Elise Vogel
      Researcher Plant Virology




    • Inge Hanssen
      Plant virologist, R&D manager






    • Anneleen Volckaert
      IPM/field trial expert




    • Nelia Ortega Parra
      Plant virologist

    Scientia Terrae

    Scientia Terrae, a not-for-profit-organization, was founded in October 2001 as a research, service and education institute for the benefit of the horticulture industry and food sector. Scientia Terrae has positioned itself at the interface between the academic world and the agriculture industry to translate fundamental science into practical solutions and real-world applications. It’s R&D activities focus on soil quality & nutrient management, phytopathology & biorational control, as well as molecular diagnostics.

    Website: www.scientia.be

    Scientia Terrae team in VIRTIGATION


    Christine Vos
    Senior Research associate

    Anneleen Paeleman
    Research assistant

    Isabel Ruiz Movilla
    Research assistant

    CSIC

    The CSIC (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Spanish National Research Council) is Spain’s largest public research institution, and ranks third among Europe’s largest research organizations. The CSIC is attached to the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation and plays a key role in scientific and technological policy in Spain. The main missions of CSIC are to foster multidisciplinary scientific and technological research, knowledge transfer to industry and society, education and training of scientific and technical staff, and creation of Technology Based Companies.

    Within the CSIC, the Instituto de Hortofruticultura Subtropical y Mediterránea “La Mayora” (Institute for Mediterranean and Subtropical Horticulture "La Mayora", IHSM) is a joint venture with the University of Málaga (UMA) that was created in 2010 to bring together the research groups from the preexisting “La Mayora” Experimental Station (EELM-CSIC) and research groups from several departments of the UMA, to promote and coordinate more efficiently the scientific research carried out by both entities in intensive horticulture and subtropical fruit production. The IHSM is situated in one of the most dynamic agricultural areas of Spain (coastal areas of Málaga, Granada and Almería provinces) where the major concentration of intensive horticulture production and subtropical fruits trees of Europe is located. Collaboration with the producing sector (mainly seed companies and grower cooperatives) is a priority for the IHSM.

    Website: : https://www.ihsm.uma-csic.es/

    CSIC team in VIRTIGATION


    Jesús Navas-Castillo
    Scientific Researcher and Head of the Department of Plant-Microorganism-Insect Interaction

    Scientific Researcher and Head of the Department of Plant-Microorganism-Insect Interaction


    Juan A. Díaz-Pendón
    Tenured Scientist

    Elvira Fiallo-Olivé
    Tenured Scientist

    NRI-UoG

    Using an interdisciplinary approach, the Natural Resources Institute undertakes research, teaching, training and consultancy to address interrelated global challenges affecting everyone from local farmers and consumers, to the UK food industry, to smallholder communities in the developing world. Together with our international partners, we tackle issues including poverty, food and nutrition security, sustainable agriculture, climate change, gender and social equality, responsible production and consumption, sustainable management of natural resources and the environment.

    Website: www.nri.org

    NRI-UoG team in VIRTIGATION

    Agriculture, Health and Environment Department


    Maruthi M N Gowda
    Professor of Molecular Plant Pathology



    Natalie Morley
    Technician

    Livelihoods and Institutions Department


    Caroline Troy
    Media and outreach officer

    LIST

    The Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) is a mission-driven Research and Technology Organization (RTO) that develops competitive and market-oriented product/service prototypes for public and private stakeholders. With its 600 employees, 75% of whom are researchers or innovation experts from all around the world, LIST is active in the fields of informatics, materials and environment and works across the entire innovation chain: fundamental/applied research, incubation and transfer of technologies.

    Website: https://www.list.lu/

    LIST team in VIRTIGATION


    Michael Eickermann
    Agricultural entomologist



    Jürgen Junk
    Senior Researcher

    TECNOVA

    Tecnova Technology Centre promotes applied innovation and technology development so as to improve competitiveness and profitability of companies in the agribusiness sector. We work with more than 300 companies that are committed to processes of change and innovation within their organizations and we do it with responsibility, flexibility and confidentiality. Tecnova, as European cluster brings together the main companies of the sector, works as a network to help them position themselves in the main international markets, by transferring knowledge and technology, promoting R&D and looking for funding lines.

    Website: https://www.biw.kuleuven.be/biosyst/plantenbiotechniek/tropical

    TECNOVA team in VIRTIGATION


    Guadalupe López
    Project Management, Leader of the multi-actor approach



    Mª del Mar Gázquez
    Project Management

    Yolanda Serrano
    Phytopathologist



    Carolina Sánchez
    Technician

    Ku Leuven

    KU Leuven is currently the largest university in Belgium in terms of research funding and expenditure, and is a charter member of The League of European Research Universities (LERU). KU Leuven conducts fundamental and applied research in all academic disciplines with a clear international orientation. In the Times Higher Education ranking 2021, KU Leuven is ranked as the 14th European university, while in the Reuters Top 100 of the World’s most innovative institutions, KU Leuven is listed as the first European university for the fifth year in a row.

    Website: https://www.biw.kuleuven.be/biosyst/plantenbiotechniek/tropical

    KU Leuven team in VIRTIGATION

    The Laboratory of Tropical Crop Improvement, Department of Biosystems


    • Hervé Vanderschuren
      Project Coordinator



    • Jassmine Zorrilla
      Project Management

    • Jenny Neukermans
      Project Management



    • Kumar Vasudevan
      Postdoctoral Researcher
    Victor Golyaev
    Postdoctoral Researcher

    European and International Projects LRD


    Hilde Nuyts
    Financial Reporting